Raith Rovers ready to play behind closed doors

The club has systems in place to allow fans to watch matches online if supporters are forbidden from attending games while lockdown restrictions remain in place.

Despite rumours that some Championship clubs wouldn’t be able to afford to play, Raith chairman Bill Clark says the Stark’s Park side would be willing to do so.

“We can do it,” he said, “we have the Pixellot System installed already. The SPFL did that for us some weeks ago.

“It would not be a problem for us, the question is how do we get income from it?

“What we’re debating at the moment is when we should start selling season tickets because season ticket holders would get access to it as part of their payment before games with spectators start.

“We’re still trying to work out all of that. There’s various models we’re looking at for putting season tickets on sale, maybe within the next month or so.”

Mr Clark revealed that the club joined in discussions with other clubs in the Championship on Tuesday to debate the 14-14-14 league reconstruction model proposed by Hearts owner Ann Budge.

Despite going on record as firmly favouring reconstruction in theory, Mr Clark said Rovers would be giving Budge’s plan the thumbs down.

“The clubs had an initial discussion on Tuesday where Rovers Vice-Chairman David Sinton was the Rovers representative,” he said.

“All 42 clubs across the divisions have to submit an email to the SPFL by Friday indicating whether they approve it or don’t.

“It’s not an actual vote, it’s just a ‘yes we agree with it’ or don’t.

“The board had a discussion about it yesterday and our view is while we favour reconstruction, we don’t think it’s the right time.

“We would also prefer a permanent solution rather than a temporary solution as this one is.”

Mr Clark highlighted factors which he said left the club “not fully enthusiastic” with the idea.

“For example, what it means at the moment on paper is in two years time, six clubs would be relegated from the Championship. We don’t think that’s good.

“We would also like Kelty Hearts and Brora Rangers to be included and 14-14-14 doesn’t allow for that.

“Those are the two reasons really why we would be against it.

“There would be more uncertainty in two years time. Raith Rovers could well be in that bottom six in the Championship.

“That is a huge risk for any Championship club. It’s not one I think we could contemplate really.

“I think there are a number of clubs who are dead set against it, like Ayr United for example.

“Across the four divisions, I am dubious that Ann Budge is going to get this through.”